READING heavyweight boxer Michael Sprott will set his sights on the European title if he can overcome world-rated Corrie Sanders in South Africa next month.

Sprott takes on the former WBU champion in Carnival City on November 3 with the aim of earning himself a shot at Ukrainian European champion Vitali Klitschko.

The 26-year-old said: "I'd be really happy to fight Klitschko, especially after I saw him against Chris Byrd.

"Byrd was very clever, making Klitschko miss a lot and messing him around. Klitschko can be beaten, he runs out of puff very quickly as well."

Sprott's trainer Ricky Maslin added: "We want to win this as Corrie has got a world ranking and if Michael can win it then it will put us in contention for the European title and that's the aim for us.

"Michael's looking in excellent shape - he's been training for three weeks with Audley Harrison and we are flying out to South Africa on Monday to acclimatise and get used to the altitude.

"I think they (the Sanders camp) are banking on the altitude being a problem for us, but we are going out there fully prepared."

Sanders will possibly prove to be Sprott's biggest test to date.

The Pretoria fighter gave Lennox Lewis's conqueror Hasim Rahman a real battle in his last fight.

Maslin said: "Sanders is a formidable opposition, but he's only good for three to four rounds, then I think he's got a stamina problem after that.

"We are not going to be complacent. Michael is well up for it and I know he's certainly capable of beating him."

Sprott's professional career took a massive blow when he lost to Wayne Llewellyn, but he bounced back with a superb victory against Germany's European ranked Timo Hoffman in February.

Hoffman returned the favour in March after a controversial decision, but Sprott added: "I didn't lose that fight. I was about three rounds ahead at the time.

"The referee was not doing me any favours at all.

"Hoffman kept holding all the time and I was getting penalised for it.

"I won the fight no doubt. When Hoffman was given the decision, the whole stadium booed him and cheered me.

"Everyone was telling me that I had won the fight."

But he added: "I'm going over to South Africa very positive.

"I know this is going to be my toughest fight ever, but I'm relishing the opportunity.

"If I can beat Sanders, all the doors will be open and then who knows?"

Sprott's clash is being sponsored by Woodley-based 1st Class Driving Agency, who supply heavy goods vehicles and drivers to companies.